Western Sydney University (WSU) has signed a cooperation agreement with Sofia University in the fields of economics, technology, and corporate sustainability. The official ceremony was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marcellin Yovogan and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marina Stefanova, Vice-Deans of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”.

Representing the Australian university were members of the School of Computer, Data and Mathematical Sciences, including Dean Prof. Kurt Langfeld, Assoc. Prof. Ana Hol, Vice-Dean (International), and Prof. Simeon Simoff. Also present were representatives of the School of Business: Prof. Hind Benbya, Dean; Prof. Stella Huiying Wu, Vice-Dean (International); Assoc. Prof. Maria Estela Varua, Vice-Dean (Research); as well as Prof. Deborah Sweeney, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President (Research, Enterprise & Global).

The meeting began with a welcome from H.E. Encho Dimitrov, Ambassador of Bulgaria to Australia, who addressed the representatives of both universities, stating:

“This is a significant event marking the beginning of cooperation between Sofia University – the oldest and largest higher education institution in Bulgaria – and Western Sydney University, one of Australia's leading and well-established universities. The agreement will serve as a foundation for future joint research activities, educational initiatives, and other collaborative projects between the academic staff and students of both institutions.

I hope that this Memorandum of Understanding becomes a starting point for long-term and fruitful collaboration between Western Sydney University and the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, a leading institution in Bulgaria for education and research in the fields of economics and management sciences (also engaged with the sustainability agenda)”.

This milestone represents an important step toward expanding academic cooperation between Bulgaria and Australia and will undoubtedly contribute to strengthening scientific and educational ties between the two countries, added Assoc. Prof. Yovogan.

The participants outlined prospects for developing bilateral cooperation and future initiatives. Assoc. Prof. Yovogan expressed his gratitude to the leadership of Western Sydney University and to everyone who contributed to the signing of the memorandum. In this context, he paid special tribute to Prof. Simeon Simoff, a lecturer in Information Technology at Western Sydney University, for his support and efforts, without which the signing of the memorandum would not have been possible.